Tag: 2019 New York Jets

The biggest surprises from the Jets’ 2019 season

The Jets Wire listed players such as Foley Fatukasi and James Burgess as among the team’s biggest surprises from the 2019 season.

Sitting at 1-7 halfway through the season, it was surprising to see the Jets be relatively competitive down the stretch. It seemed as if New York was destined for another top-three selection.

Finishing 6-2 in the team’s final eight games, the Jets were able to go 7-9 in Adam Gase’s first season as head coach. Largely thanks to Gregg Williams and a contingent of unheralded defensive players, the Jets were able to play meaningful football toward the end of the season.

There were so many pleasant surprises for Gang Green in 2019 even if the year ended with the franchise’s ninth consecutive season of missing the playoffs. Some of those pleasant surprises who couldn’t crack this list include Nathan Shepherd, Tarell Basham, Brian Poole, Braxton Berrios and Vyncint Smith.

With that said, let’s take a look at the Jets’ biggest surprises from the 2019 season.

TE Ryan Griffin

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Ryan Griffin was never supposed to be the Jets’ No. 1 option at tight end, but merely a placeholder for Chris Herndon.

When Herndon returned from his four-game suspension, he injured his hamstring and was then subsequently placed on injured reserve with a broken rib after being active for only two games.

Griffin managed to make the most of his opportunity despite dealing with an injury ailment of his own. He will be out six months after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his ankle.

On the season, Griffin hauled in 34 receptions for 320 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games played. His five scores were a career-high. In Griffin, the Jets now have a viable No. 2 option at tight end who can be the perfect complement to Herndon.

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The biggest disappointments from the Jets’ 2019 season

Here are the most disappointing players and coaches for the Jets in 2019.

After much anticipation heading into the 2019 season, it ended in typical Jets fashion: a losing record and another year without making the playoffs.

The Jets signed multiple marquee free agents in the offseason and drafted some highly-touted rookies to add to their core of players. However, it all never came to fruition as the Jets put themselves in a deep hole with a 1-7 record. They finished the year at 7-9.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest disappointments the Jets had in 2019.

Le’Veon Bell

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

The Jets signed Le’Veon Bell to a massive four-year $52.5 million deal with the expectation that he would be one of the best running backs in football. Instead, he had the worst season of his pro career.

Bell rushed for 789 yards this season, his lowest since 2015. It was also the fewest rushing attempts (245) Bell had in a full season’s worth of work since his rookie year. In the passing game, Bell was expected to be a safety net for Sam Darnold, but that wasn’t the case. He only had 461 receiving yards, which was his lowest dating back to his rookie season.

Now the question remains if Bell will be back next season. His name swirled around during the trade deadline, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is dealt in the offseason. If 2019 was Bell’s only season with Gang Green, it will go down as another bad free agent signing for the Jets.

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How did the Jets’ top free agent signings perform in 2019?

Here’s how the Jets’ top free agent signing did in their first year with the team.

The Jets were one of the league leaders in available cap space last offseason and they used that money to acquire a ton of big-name free agents.

During free agency last spring, the Jets spent $205.5 million on 12 players, including $119.6 million in guaranteed money. At the time, the Jets looked like they were upgrading their team, but some of those moves didn’t pan out in 2019. The top free agents the Jets signed last offseason included C.J. Mosley, Le’Veon Bell, Jamison Crowder, Ty Montgomery and Brian Poole.

Let’s take a look at how each of these five players fared in their first season with Gang Green.

C.J. Mosley

AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

The Jets paid C.J. Mosley the largest contract ever for an inside linebacker (five-years, $85 million), but they didn’t get their money’s worth in the first year.

Mosley suited up for all of two games the entire season. He hit the ground running in Week 1 against the Bills with four total tackles, two pass defenses, an interception, a fumble recovery and a touchdown. However, Mosley pulled his groin halfway through the game and missed the next four games. He returned in Week 7 against the Patriots and managed to play the whole game, but didn’t look like himself.

The Jets ended up placing Mosley on injured reserve, which ended his season. He is having surgery on his groin and the hope is to have him back in time for the team’s offseason program. While the Jets can still get valuable play out of Mosley in the coming years, his first year was pretty much over before it ever started.

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NFL Free Agency: Which Jets will hit the open market this offseason?

The Jets will have a long list of free agents to sort through this offseason.

Just as the Jets knew no shortage of injuries in 2019, the same can be said for their list of soon-to-be free agents this upcoming offseason.

The future of New York’s roster is unclear after the Jets finished the 2019 season 7-9. While they have determined their franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold, there are still more holes than certainties on Gang Green’s 53-man roster. The team has question marks on both lines, at corner and on the edge, just to name a few.

Now, the Jets will be forced to sift through a long list of their own free agents in the offseason. While some will likely be part of Joe Douglas’ vision for the future, others will be forced to find employment elsewhere.

Here are all of the Jets set to be free agents in 2020:

  1. Ryan Kalil, C – 35 – UFA
  2. Kelvin Beachum, LT – 30 – UFA
  3. Robby Anderson, WR – 27 – UFA
  4. Brian Poole, CB – 27 – UFA
  5. Demaryius Thomas, WR – 32 – UFA
  6. Trevor Siemian, QB – 28 – UFA
  7. Rontez Miles, FS – 31 – UFA
  8. Brandon Copeland, DE – 29 – UFA
  9. Tom Compton, G – 31 – UFA
  10. Neville Hewitt, ILB – 27 – UFA
  11. Brent Qvale, RT – 29 – UFA
  12. Bilal Powell, RB – 31 – UFA
  13. Daniel Brown, TE – 28 – UFA
  14. Ty Montgomery, RB – 27 – UFA
  15. Albert McClellan, ILB – 34 – UFA
  16. David Fales, QB – 29 – UFA
  17. Paul Worrilow, OLB – 30 – UFA
  18. Jordan Jenkins, OLB – 26 – UFA
  19. Matthias Farley, SS – 28 – UFA
  20. Maurice Canady, CB – 26 – UFA
  21. Alex Lewis, G – 26 – UFA
  22. James Burgess, ILB – 26 – RFA
  23. Arthur Maulet, CB – 27 – RFA
  24. Leo Koloamatangi, T – 26 – RFA
  25. B.J. Bello, ILB – 25 – RFA
  26. Josh Malone, WR – 24 – RFA
  27. Brandon Shell, T – 28 – UFA
  28. Lac Edwards, P – 28 – UFA
  29. Frankie Luvu, LB – 23 – ERFA
  30. Sam Ficken, K – 27 – ERFA
  31. Bennett Jackson, CB  – 28 – ERFA
  32. Jeff Smith, WR – 23 – ERFA

Takeaways from Joe Douglas’ season-ending press conference

Here are five takeaways from Joe Douglas’s season ending press conference.

With the Jets’ regular season complete, it’s time to look ahead to their first offseason under general manager Joe Douglas.

Douglas was hired by the Jets in June after the team fired Mike Maccagnan in May. However, Douglas couldn’t implement the players he really wanted with free agency and the draft already in the past. He made a few moves, including signing Ryan Kalil — which was a failure — and trading Leonard Williams to the Giants.

Now his work is cut out for him with free agency and the draft looming. Let’s take a look at what Douglas had to say at his season-ending press conference on Tuesday.

No commitment Le’Veon Bell will be back

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Adam Gase said on Monday to ask Douglas if he wanted Le’Veon Bell back and we still don’t have a definitive answer.

Douglas said that his personal experience with Bell has been very positive, but hesitated to say whether or not Bell will be back in 2020. Douglas said that if a team calls about Bell’s availability, he will listen as he does on any player. Douglas doesn’t know how those trade conversations would go, though.

It sounds like there is a 50-50 shot that Bell does get dealt in the offseason. If he gets the right value for Bell and that team will take his contract, Douglas will pull the trigger. If not, Douglas seems more than happy to keep Bell for another season.

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And just like that, Trumaine Johnson was gone

Jets cornerback Trumaine Johnson didn’t answer any questions about his Jets tenure.

Well aware that his time with the Jets is coming to a close, Trumaine Johnson got out of One Jets Drive in a hurry on Monday. It was odd to see the cornerback moving so quickly.

Jets players spoke to the media one last time this year as they cleaned out their lockers, but Johnson had no interest in reflecting on his miserable tenure in New York. Instead, he wished every one a happy holiday and reminded them about his upcoming birthday.

“Happy New Years,” Johnson said. “My birthday is January 1.”

While not official yet, Johnson will not be returning to the Jets next season with his contract out of guaranteed money. If the Jets cut him before the third day of the new league year, they will save $3 million against the cap, but they’ll endure $12 million in dead money.

The 29-year-old cornerback was signed to a five-year, $72.5 million deal in 2018 by former general manager Mike Maccagnan. It ended up being one of the worst contracts in Jets history. Johnson couldn’t stay on the field because of injuries, faced team discipline and was downright atrocious when on the field.

In 17 games, Johnson had 57 total tackles, seven pass defenses, five interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a touchdown.

Johnson also had behavioral issues in his two years with the Jets. At the end of the 2018 season, Johnson was benched in the season finale by Todd Bowles for violating team rules.

With Johnson’s exit coming, the Jets will be in the market for a new cornerback. New York’s cornerback depth was pushed to its limit with injuries to both Johnson and Darryl Roberts and it showed all season. Bless Austin and Arthur Maulet filled in admirably, but New York needs to upgrade the position this offseason.

James Burgess is Jets Wire’s Player of the Game vs. Bills

James Burgess led the way for the Jets in a 13-6 win over the Bills in the season finale on Sunday.

James Burgess led the way for the Jets in a 13-6 win over the Bills in the season finale on Sunday.

Burgess finished the game with nine total tackles, one pass breakup and an interception. For his performance, he is Jets Wire’s player of the game for Week 17 of the regular season.

The inside linebacker arguably had his best game of the season. He did a little of everything, including coming up with his first career interception. On that play, Burgess completely duped Matt Barkley into making a bad throw. He dropped back in zone coverage and came flying over to make the pick.

For Burgess, he has really progressed since having to step in for the injured Jets linebackers. His tackling has drastically improved and he has the ability to play in coverage. In 10 games, Burgess had 51 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, a safety, five pass defenses and an interception.

The 25-year-old linebacker is a restricted free agent this offseason. If the Jets were smart, they’d tender him a contract. With C.J. Mosley back next season along with Avery Williamson, Neville Hewitt and Blake Cashman, Burgess makes for a good depth piece.

He’s not a good enough player for 16 games, but in case a linebacker goes down next season he can come in and hold down the position for a few games.

Jets to pick 11th in 2020 NFL draft

The Jets will locked in with the No. 11 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Let the mock drafts begin.

The Jets hold the No. 11 pick in the first round of the 2020 draft as the order for non-playoff teams has been set. It is the first time in franchise history that the Jets have picked 11th.

New York also has one pick in the second round, two picks in the third round, one pick in the fourth round, one pick in the fifth round and one pick in the sixth round.

With the regular season complete, the attention now turns to general manager Joe Douglas. It’ll be his first offseason running after he was hired in June and he has his work cut out for him, as the Jets have plenty of holes they need to address in the offseason.

New York’s first-round pick will go a long way in accomplishing Douglas’ goal of building from the ground up through the draft. He can go a variety of ways with this pick as the Jets need offensive line help, cornerbacks and a No. 1 wide receiver.

Douglas and his front office staff have about four months to scout college prospects and prepare for the draft. Until then, it’ll be going to the combine, private workouts and pro days in order to find the next New York’s next first-round selection.

James Burgess, Jordan Jenkins among Studs and Duds in win Jets’ win over Bills

James Burgess and Jordan Jenkins are studs in the Jets’ win over the Bills.

It certainly wasn’t a pretty performance for the Jets, but they somehow managed to finish the season with a 7-9 record with a 13-6 win over the Bills on Sunday.

The Jets’ defense dominated this game with the Bills’ backups team in for the majority of the game. Gregg Williams’ unit forced two total turnovers and kept Buffalo out of the end zone.

The same can’t be said for Adam Gase’s offense. His unit struggled mightily against the Bills backup defense. Sam Darnold was far from strong as he made a few boneheaded decisions, one of which that led to an interception. However, Gase’s in-game decisions were a problem as there were multiple times in this game where he left you shaking your head.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the studs and duds from the Jets’ season-ending victory.

Stud: James Burgess

AP Photo/David Dermer

James Burgess didn’t look like an NFL linebacker when he stepped in for the Jets earlier this year, but he turned his season around in the second half.

Burgess recorded his first career interception off of Bills quarterback Matt Barkley. Burgess did a nice job of reading Barkley’s eyes and stepped in front of the intended receiver. He finished the game with nine tackles, one pass breakup and the interception.

The 25-year-old is a restricted free agent in the offseason and the Jets should bring him back. He’s a solid depth piece in case any of the starting linebacker get hurt next season.

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Jets vs. Bills inactives: Demaryius Thomas only notable player out for New York against Buffalo

The Jets will be without Demaryius Thomas for the third straight game against the Bills.

The Jets will be as healthy as they’ve ever been in their final game against the Bills.

New York will only be without a couple of starters in Demaryius Thomas and Tom Compton. The rest of the Jets inactives are all backup players. That includes Blake Countess, Ross Travis, Jordan Willis, Kenneth Dixon, Josh Adams and Bennett Jackson.

With Thomas down once again, Vyncint Smith will likely fill his spot at wide receiver. He has done a solid job filling in as he’s had at least one catch in his last five games.

Brent Qvale will slide into Compton’s position at guard. He has missed the majority of the season with a knee injury that he suffered in training camp. This will be his first start of the season.

As for the Bills, they are resting the majority of their key starters.  The Bills’ top wide receivers John Brown and Cole Beasley are inactive. Meanwhile, their returner Andre Roberts is also out. Devin Singletary, Tre’Davious White, Dawson Knox and Shaq Lawson are also among those inactive for Buffalo.